Viet Nam at the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security10-25-2016, 08:26 pm

Mr. President,

Viet Nam
commends the Russian Presidency for convening this open debate, giving member
states an opportunity to continue deliberation on the women, peace, and
security agenda. I thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and
the Executive Director of UN Women for their briefings and insights.

Viet Nam
associates itself with the statement delivered earlier by the distinguished
representative of Thailand on behalf of ASEAN.

Mr. President,

Viet Nam
welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the women, peace and
security agenda, as highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report. We
particularly applaud the increased participation of women and inclusion of
gender perspective in all areas, from conflict prevention to peacebuilding,
peace processes to reconstruction efforts.

Viet Nam
is also pleased to see the added impetus that last year’s high-level review has
provided for the implementation of commitments in the women, peace and security
agenda. Viet Nam believes that implementation lies first and foremost with
states, but real success can only be assured by partnerships, especially with a
better coordinated and well-resourced United Nations.

Yet, Viet
Nam remains gravely concerned at the continuing violence targeted at women and
girls, especially those displaced by conflicts. Viet Nam condemns all acts of
violence and abuse against women and girls. We call for strengthened efforts by
the United Nations and member states in responding to this issue. We urge the
United Nations to strictly implement its zero-tolerance policy on sexual
exploitation and abuse.

Mr. President,

Peace can
only be sustained if conflicts can be prevented and addressed at their roots.
Viet Nam welcomes a stronger focus on conflict prevention, including peaceful
dispute settlement and preventive diplomacy. Efforts should also focus on the
socio-economic development, post-conflict peacebuilding, recovery, and
reconstruction, as affirmed in Resolution 1889, introduced by Viet Nam and
unanimously adopted by the Security Council in 2009.

On its
part, Viet Nam fully recognizes the crucial role of women in conflict
prevention and settlement, state-building, sustaining peace, and socio-economic
development. For centuries, Vietnamese women not only fought valiantly for the
country’s freedom and independence but also worked hard and contributed
significantly to the recovery and development of the country towards stability,
sustainable development, and international integration. Today, as part of our
commitment to United Nations peacekeeping, Vietnamese women officers are taking
part in training and making necessary preparations to be deployed in the near
future in UN peacekeeping missions.